Composition, thermoplastic resin composition using same, and molded article thereof

ABSTRACT

Provided are: a composition that can impart a thermoplastic resin with excellent transparency and physical properties; a thermoplastic resin composition containing the same; and a molded article thereof. The composition contains: (A) a cyclic organophosphate aluminum salt represented by Formula (1) below, wherein R 1  to R 4  each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 9 carbon atoms, and IV represents an alkylidene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and (B) sodium carboxylate, wherein a molar ratio of the (A) cyclic organophosphate aluminum salt represented by Formula (1) and the (B) sodium carboxylate, (A)/(B), is in a range of 0.20 to 0.56.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a composition, a thermoplastic resincomposition containing the same, and a molded article thereof. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to: a composition that canimpart a thermoplastic resin with excellent transparency and physicalproperties; a thermoplastic resin composition containing the same; and amolded article thereof.

BACKGROUND ART

Thermoplastic resins are, depending on their physical propertiesincluding moldability and low specific gravity, widely utilized invarious molded articles, such as building materials, automobilematerials, materials of household electric appliances and electronics,fiber materials, packaging materials, agricultural materials, housingmaterials of household electric appliances, household miscellaneousgoods, films, sheets, and structural components. Particularly,polyolefin-based resins, such as polyethylene, polypropylene andpolybutene-1, advantageously have excellent moldability, heatresistance, mechanical characteristics, low specific gravity and thelike; therefore, they are widely utilized in films, sheets, and variousmolded articles (e.g., structural components).

However, polyolefin-based resins have drawbacks in that they have poormolding cycle characteristics due to their low post-moldingcrystallization rates, and that they are insufficient in terms oftransparency and strength due to the generation of large crystals causedby the progress of crystallization after heat-molding. These drawbacksare all attributed to the crystallinity of polyolefin-based resins, andit is known that the above-described problems can be solved byincreasing the crystallization temperature of each polyolefin-basedresin and thereby allowing the polyolefin-based resin to rapidlygenerate fine crystals.

It is known to add a nucleating agent for this purpose, and examples ofknown nucleating agents include metal carboxylates, such as sodiumbenzoate, 4-tert-butylbenzoate aluminum salt, sodium adipate, and2-sodium-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2,3-dicarboxylate; cyclic organophosphatemetal salts, such as sodium-bis(4-tert-butylphenyl)phosphate,sodium-2,2′-methylene-bis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphate, andlithium-2,2′-methylene-bis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphate; polyhydricalcohol derivatives, such as dibenzylidene sorbitol,bis(methylbenzylidene)sorbitol, bis(3,4-dimethylbenzylidene)sorbitol,bis(p-ethylbenzylidene)sorbitol, and bis(dimethylbenzylidene)sorbitol;and amide compounds, such asN,N′,N″-tris[2-methylcyclohexyl]-1,2,3-propane tricarboxamide,N,N′,N″-tricyclohexyl-1,3,5-benzene tricarboxamide,N,N-dicyclohexyl-naphthalene dicarboxamide, and1,3,5-tri(2,2-dimethylpropaneamide)benzene.

Among these compounds, cyclic organophosphate metal salts are known asnucleating agents that have a high effect of improving the transparencyand the physical properties of polyolefin-based resins. Patent Document1 discloses a resin composition obtained by incorporating a basicaluminum salt of a cyclic organophosphate and sodium stearate into acrystalline synthetic resin. In addition, Patent Document 2 discloses aresin composition obtained by incorporating a basic multivalent metalsalt of a cyclic organophosphate and an alkali metal carboxylate into acrystalline synthetic resin.

Further, Patent Document 3 describes that, as a nucleating agent, one ora mixture of sodium2,2′-methylene-bis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenoxy)phosphate, sodiumdi(4-tert-butyl-phenoxy)phosphate, aluminumhydroxybis[2,2-methylene-bis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenoxy)phosphate],bis(2-alkyl,4-alkylphenoxy)phosphate, sodium bicyclo[2,2,1]heptanedicarboxylate and calcium bicyclo[2,2,1]heptane dicarboxylate ispreferred, and resin compositions in which such a nucleating agent andsodium benzoate are added are described in the section of Examples.Moreover, Patent Document 4 proposes a nucleator composition obtained bymixing aluminum hydroxy p-tert-butylbenzoate and/or sodium benzoate withaluminumhydroxybis[2,2′-methylene-bis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphate].Furthermore, Patent Document 5 proposes a polypropylene clarifying agentthat contains a multivalent metal salt substituting a diaryl phosphoricacid and an alkali metal salt of a monobasic fatty acid.

RELATED ART DOCUMENTS Patent Documents

[Patent Document 1] JPH08-120116A

[Patent Document 2] JPH 05-156078A

[Patent Document 3] CN102344609B

[Patent Document 4] CN101845171A

[Patent Document 5] CN101265347B

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

In Patent Documents 1 and 2, combinations of aluminumhydroxybis[2,2′-methylene-bis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphate] andsodium stearate are described; however, their nucleating effects arestill insufficient. In addition, although Patent Document 3 shows thatthe above-described resin compositions improve the creep resistance,incorporation of aluminumhydroxybis[2,2′-methylene-bis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphate] is notexamined therein, and the transparency and the physical properties arenot adequately evaluated. Further, Patent Document 4 describescompositions obtained by blending sodium benzoate or a combination ofsodium benzoate and aluminum hydroxy p-tert-hydroxybenzoate withaluminumhydroxybis[2,2′-methylene-bis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphate];however, there is no further mention thereto and, since incorporation ofthese compositions into a resin is not evaluated, there is still roomfor investigation with regard to their effects on the transparency andthe physical properties. Furthermore Patent Document 5 describes resincompositions that contain aluminumhydroxybis[2,2-methylene-bis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenoxy)phosphate], asodium carboxylate such as sodium stearate or sodium rosinate, and/or analkali metal salt of a monobasic fatty acid, such as lithiumhydroxystearate; however, the effects of these resin compositions arenot satisfactory, and a further improvement is thus demanded.

In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide:a composition that can impart a thermoplastic resin with excellenttransparency and physical properties; a thermoplastic resin compositioncontaining the same; and a molded article thereof.

Means for Solving the Problems

The present inventors intensively studied to solve the above-describedproblems and consequently discovered that a high ratio of a cyclicorganophosphate aluminum salt leads to poor thermal stability. As aresult of further intensive studies based on this finding, the presentinventors discovered that the above-described object can be achieved bycontrolling the ratio of the cyclic organophosphate aluminum salt to bein a specific range, thereby completing the present invention.

That is, the composition of the present invention is a compositioncontaining:

(A) a cyclic organophosphate aluminum salt represented by the followingFormula (1):

wherein R¹ to R⁴ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or alinear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 9 carbon atoms, and R⁵represents an alkylidene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and

(B) a sodium carboxylate,

the composition being characterized in that a molar ratio of the (A)cyclic organophosphate aluminum salt represented by Formula (1) and the(B) sodium carboxylate, (A)/(B), is in a range of 0.20 to 0.56.

In the composition of the present invention, the (B) sodium carboxylateis preferably a sodium aromatic carboxylate or a sodium aliphaticcarboxylate.

A thermoplastic resin composition of the present invention ischaracterized by containing the composition of the present inventionsuch that the (A) cyclic organophosphate aluminum salt represented byFormula (1) is contained in an amount of 0.001 to 10 parts by mass withrespect to 100 parts by mass of a thermoplastic resin.

In the thermoplastic resin composition of the present invention, thethermoplastic resin is preferably a polyolefin-based resin.

A molded article of the present invention is characterized by containingthe thermoplastic resin composition of the present invention.

Effects of the Invention

According to the present invention, a composition that can impart athermoplastic resin, particularly a polyolefin-based resin, withexcellent transparency and physical properties; a thermoplastic resincomposition containing the same, and a molded article thereof can beprovided.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail.The composition of the present invention contains: (A) a cyclicorganophosphate aluminum salt represented by the following Formula (1):

and (B) a sodium carboxylate.

First, the (A) cyclic organophosphate aluminum salt represented byFormula (1) (hereinafter, also referred to as “component (A)”) will bedescribed. In Formula (1), R¹ to R⁴ each independently represent ahydrogen atom or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 9 carbonatoms, and R⁵ represents an alkylidene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

Examples of the linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 9 carbonatoms which is represented by R¹ to R⁴ in Formula (1) include a methylgroup, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group, a butylgroup, a sec-butyl group, a tert-butyl group, an isobutyl group, an amylgroup, a tert-amyl group, a hexyl group, a heptyl group, an octyl group,an isooctyl group, a tert-octyl group, a 2-ethylhexyl group, a nonylgroup and an isononyl group, among which a tert-butyl group isparticularly preferred in the composition of the present invention.

Examples of the alkylidene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms which isrepresented by R⁵ in Formula (1) include a methylene group, anethylidene group, a propylidene group and a butylidene group, amongwhich a methylene group is preferred in the composition of the presentinvention.

Examples of a method of producing the cyclic organophosphate aluminumsalt represented by Formula (1) according to the composition of thepresent invention include a method of allowing a cyclic phosphoric acidhaving a corresponding structure to react with an aluminum compound,such as aluminum hydroxide, aluminum oxide, aluminum halide, aluminumsulfate, aluminum nitrate or an aluminum alkoxide compound, using areactant such as a basic compound that is used as required; a method ofallowing an alkali metal salt of a cyclic phosphate having acorresponding structure to undergo salt exchange with an aluminumcompound, such as aluminum hydroxide, aluminum oxide, aluminum halide,aluminum sulfate, aluminum nitrate or an aluminum alkoxide compound,using a reactant that is used as required; and a method of generating acyclic phosphoric acid by hydrolysis using cyclic phosphorus oxychlorideas a starting material and subsequently allowing the thus generatedcyclic phosphoric acid to react with a metal compound.

Specific examples of the compound represented by Formula (1) includecompounds below. However, in the composition of the present invention,the component (A) is not restricted thereto.

In the composition of the present invention, the component (A) is notrestricted in terms of the particle conditions such as particle size andparticle size distribution; however, it is known that the dispersibilityof the component (A) into a resin is improved in case the particle sizethereof is small, therefore the volume-average particle size ispreferably 100 μm or smaller, more preferably 30 μm or smaller, stillmore preferably 20 μm or smaller. The term “volume-average particlesize” used herein refers to a volume-weighted average particle sizedetermined by a laser diffraction-scattering particle size distributionanalyzer (MICROTRAC MT3000II, manufactured by MicrotracBEL Corp.).

In the composition of the present invention, aluminumhydroxybis[2,2′-methylene-bis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphate] ispreferred since it can impart a polyolefin-based resin with mostfavorable transparency.

The composition of the present invention contains the component (A) in arange of preferably 40 to 65% by mass, more preferably 50 to 65% bymass. When the content of the component (A) is less than 40% by mass orgreaterthan 65% by mass, the nucleating effect may be poor and thethermal stability may be deteriorated.

The amount of the component (A) to be added to a thermoplastic resin is0.001 to 10 parts by mass, preferably 0.006 to 5 parts by mass, withrespect to 100 parts by mass of the thermoplastic resin. When the amountof the component (A) is less than 0.001 parts by mass, a nucleatingeffect may not be obtained, whereas an amount of greaterthan 10 parts bymass makes it difficult to disperse the component (A) into thethermoplastic resin, and the physical properties and the externalappearance of the resulting molded article may consequently be adverselyaffected.

Next, the (B) sodium carboxylate (hereinafter, also referred to as“component (B)”) will be described. In the composition of the presentinvention, the (B) sodium carboxylate is, for example, a sodium aromaticcarboxylate or a sodium-fatty acid.

Examples of an aromatic carboxylic acid include benzoic acid,tert-butylbenzoic acid, methoxybenzoic acid, dimethoxybenzoic acid,trimethoxybenzoic acid, chlorobenzoic acid, dichlorobenzoic acid,trichlorobenzoic acid, acetoxybenzoic acid, biphenylcarboxylic acid,naphthalenecarboxylic acid, anthracenecarboxylic acid, furancarboxylicacid, and thenoic acid. In the composition of the present invention, thearomatic carboxylic acid is preferably benzoic acid or tert-butylbenzoicacid, since this makes the effects of the present invention prominent.

Examples of the fatty acid of the sodium-fatty acid include fatty acidsin which an alkyl or alkenyl group having 9 to 30 carbon atoms isintroduced along with two or more unsaturated bonds, and a hydrogen atomof such a fatty acid may be substituted with a hydroxy group, and thefatty acid may be branched as well. Specific examples of the fatty acidinclude saturated fatty acids, such as capric acid, 2-ethylhexanoicacid, undecylic acid, lauric acid, tridecylic acid, myristic acid,pentadecylic acid, palmitic acid, margaric acid, stearic acid,12-hydroxystearic acid, nonadecylic acid, arachidic acid, heneicosylicacid, behenic acid, tricosylic acid, lignoceric acid, cerotic acid,montanoic acid, and melissic acid; and linear unsaturated fatty acids,such as 4-decenoic acid, 4-dodecenoic acid, palmitoleic acid,α-linolenic acid, linoleic acid, γ-linolenic acid, stearidonic acid,petroselinic acid, oleic acid, elaidic acid, vaccenic acid,eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid.In the composition of the present invention, a fatty acid having 10 to21 carbon atoms is preferred, and a fatty acid having 12 to 18 carbonatoms is more preferred. Specifically, the fatty acid is particularlypreferably lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid,12-hydroxystearic acid, oleic acid, or linoleic acid, since this makesthe effects of the present invention prominent.

The composition of the present invention contains the component (B) in arange of preferably 35 to 60% by mass, more preferably 35 to 50% bymass. When the content of the component (B) is less than 35% by mass orgreaterthan 60% by mass, the nucleating effect may be poor.

In the composition of the present invention, the molar ratio of thecomponents (A) and (B), (A)/(B), is in a range of preferably 0.20 to0.56, more preferably 0.30 to 0.50. When the ratio (A)/(B) is lower than0.20, the nucleating effect may be insufficient and the initial heatdiscoloration may be increased, whereas when the ratio (A)/(B) is higherthan 0.56, the thermal stability of a molded article obtained by moldinga thermoplastic resin with an addition of the composition may bedeteriorated or the effects of the present invention may not beattained.

Next, the thermoplastic resin composition of the present invention willbe described.

Resins that can be used in the thermoplastic resin composition of thepresent invention are not restricted as long as they are thermoplasticresins; however, from the standpoint of making the effects of thepresent invention prominent, a polyolefin-based resin, a styrene-basedresin, a polyester-based resin, a polyether-based resin, apolycarbonate-based resin, a polyamide-based resin, or ahalogen-containing resin is preferably used, and a polyolefin-basedresin is more preferably used.

Examples of the polyolefin-based resin include α-olefin polymers, suchas polyethylenes, low-density polyethylenes, linear low-densitypolyethylenes, high-density polyethylenes, cross-linked polyethylenes,ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylenes, polypropylenes,homopolypropylenes, random copolymer polypropylenes, block copolymerpolypropylenes, isotactic polypropylenes, syndiotactic polypropylenes,hemi-isotactic polypropylenes, polybutenes, cycloolefin polymers, stereoblock polypropylenes, poly-3-methyl-1-butenes, poly-3-methyl-1-pentenes,and poly-4-methyl-1-pentenes; α-olefin copolymers, such asethylene-propylene block or random copolymers, impact copolymerpolypropylenes, ethylene-methyl methacrylate copolymers, ethylene-methylacrylate copolymers, ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymers, ethylene-butylacrylate copolymers, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers;polyfluoroolefins; and polyolefin-based thermoplastic elastomers. Thepolyolefin-based resin may be a copolymer of two or more of theseresins.

Examples of the styrene-based resin include vinyl group-containingaromatic hydrocarbon homopolymers, and copolymers of a vinylgroup-containing aromatic hydrocarbon and other monomer(s) (e.g., maleicanhydride, phenylmaleimide, (meth)acrylate, butadiene and/or(meth)acrylonitrile), for example, thermoplastic resins, such aspolystyrene (PS) resins, high-impact polystyrenes (HIPS),acrylonitrile-styrene (AS) resins, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS)resins, methyl methacrylate-butadiene-styrene (MBS) resins,heat-resistant ABS resins, acrylate-styrene-acrylonitrile (ASA) resins,acrylonitrile-acrylic rubber-styrene (AAS) resins, styrene-maleicanhydride (SMA) resins, methacrylate-styrene (MS) resins,styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS) resins, acrylonitrile-ethylene-propylenerubber-styrene (AES) resins, styrene-butadiene-butylene-styrene (SBBS)resins, and methyl methacrylate-acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (MABS)resins; and hydrogenated styrene-based elastomer resins obtained byhydrogenation of the double bond of butadiene or isoprene in theabove-described resins, such as styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS)resins, styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene (SEPS) resins,styrene-ethylene-propylene (SEP) resins, andstyrene-ethylene-ethylene-propylene-styrene (SEEPS) resins.

Examples of the polyester-based resin include aromatic polyesters, suchas polyalkylene terephthalates (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate,polybutylene terephthalate, and polycyclohexane dimethyleneterephthalate) and polyalkylene naphthalates (e.g., polyethylenenaphthalate and polybutylene naphthalate); linear polyesters, such aspolytetramethylene terephthalate; and degradable aliphatic polyesters,such as polyhydroxy butyrate, polycaprolactone, polybutylene succinate,polyethylene succinate, polylactic acid, polymalic acid, polyglycolicacid, polydioxane, and poly(2-oxetanone).

Examples of the polyether-based resin include polyacetal, polyphenyleneether, polyether ketone, polyether ether ketone, polyether ketoneketone, polyether ether ketone ketone, polyether sulfone, and polyetherimide.

Examples of the polycarbonate-based resin include polycarbonates,polycarbonate/ABS resins, polycarbonate/ASA resins, polycarbonate/AESresins, and branched polycarbonates.

Examples of the polyamide-based resin include polymers of ε-caprolactam(nylon 6), undecane lactam (nylon 11), lauryl lactam (nylon 12),aminocaproic acid, enantholactam, 7-aminoheptanoic acid,11-aminoundecanoic acid, 9-aminononanoic acid, α-pyrrolidone,α-piperidone and the like; copolymers obtained by copolymerization of adiamine (e.g., hexamethylenediamine, nonanediamine,nonanemethylenediamine, methylpentadiamine, undecanemethylenediamine,dodecanemethylenediamine, or m-xylenediamine) and a carboxylic acidcompound (e.g., a dicarboxylic acid, such as adipic acid, sebacic acid,terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, dodecanedicarboxylic acid orglutaric acid); and mixtures of these polymers and/or copolymers.Examples of the polyamide-based resin also include aramid resins such as“KEVLAR®” (trade name) manufactured by DuPont, “NOMEX®” (trade name)manufactured by DuPont, and “TWARON®” (trade name) and “CONEX” (tradename) which are manufactured by TEIJIN Ltd.

Examples of the halogen-containing resin include polyvinyl chloride,polyvinylidene chlorides, chlorinated polyethylenes, chlorinatedpolypropylenes, polyvinylidene fluorides, chlorinated rubbers, vinylchloride-vinyl acetate copolymers, vinyl chloride-ethylene copolymers,vinyl chloride-vinylidene chloride copolymers, vinyl chloride-vinylidenechloride-vinyl acetate ternary copolymers, vinyl chloride-acrylatecopolymers, vinyl chloride-maleate copolymers, and vinylchloride-cyclohexylmaleimide copolymers.

Examples of the thermoplastic resin also include petroleum resins,coumarone resins, polyvinyl acetates, acrylic resins, polymethylmethacrylates, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl formals, polyvinylbutyrals, polyphenylene sulfides, polyurethanes, cellulose-based resins,polyimide resins, polysulfones, liquid crystal polymers, and blends ofthese thermoplastic resins.

Further, the thermoplastic resin may be an elastomer, such as anisoprene rubber, a butadiene rubber, an acrylonitrile-butadienecopolymer rubber, a styrene-butadiene copolymer rubber, a fluorocarbonrubber, a silicone rubber, a polyester-based elastomer, a nitrile-basedelastomer, a nylon-based elastomer, a vinyl chloride-based elastomer, apolyamide-based elastomer or a polyurethane-based elastomer, or acombination of these elastomers.

In the resin composition of the present invention, these thermoplasticresins may be used individually, or two or more thereof may be used incombination. Further, these thermoplastic resins may be alloyed as well.These thermoplastic resins can be used regardless of, for example,molecular weight, polymerization degree, density, softening point,insoluble component-to-solvent ratio, degree of stereoregularity,presence or absence of catalyst residue, type and blend ratio of eachmaterial monomer, and type of polymerization catalyst (e.g., a Zieglercatalyst or a metallocene catalyst).

In the thermoplastic resin composition of the present invention, apolyolefin-based resin is preferably used since it makes the effects ofthe present invention prominent.

A method of blending the components (A) and (B) of the composition ofthe present invention into a thermoplastic resin is not particularlyrestricted, and any known resin additive blending technology can beemployed. For example, any of a method of dry-blending the thermoplasticresin in a powder or pellet form with the above-described components, amethod of adding the components to a polymerization system prior topolymerizing the thermoplastic resin, a method of adding the componentsin the middle of the polymerization, and a method of adding thecomponents afterthe polymerization, can be employed. Further, forexample, a method of preparing a masterbatch containing any of thecomponents at a high concentration and then adding the masterbatch tothe thermoplastic resin, or a method of processing some or all of thecomponents into a pellet form and then adding the pellet to thethermoplastic resin can be employed as well. Still further, any of thecomponents may be impregnated into a filler or the like, or processedinto granules, and then incorporated into the thermoplastic resin.Moreover, the components may be blended in advance and then added to thethermoplastic resin, or the components may be separately added to thethermoplastic resin.

As for a method of processing the components of the composition of thepresent invention into a pellet form, a pellet can be produced byheating a mixture of the composition of the present invention, aphenolic antioxidant, a polymer compound, a binder such as a petroleumresin and, as required, other additive(s) to be optionally incorporated,and subsequently blending the mixture in the presence of the binder in amolten state. The processing conditions, the processing equipment andthe like are not restricted at all, and any well-known and commonly-usedprocessing method and processing equipment can be employed. Specificexamples of the production method include a disk pelleter method and anextrusion method.

In the thermoplastic resin composition of the present invention, anoptional and known additive(s) (e.g., a phenolic antioxidant, aphosphorus-based antioxidant, a thioether-based antioxidant, otherantioxidant, an ultraviolet absorber, a hindered amine compound, othernucleating agent different from the component (A), a flame retardant, aflame retardant aid, a lubricant, a filler, a hydrotalcite, anantistatic agent, a fluorescent brightener, a pigment, and a dye) mayalso be incorporated within a range that does not markedly impair theeffects of the present invention.

Examples of the phenolic antioxidant include2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-ethylphenol,

-   2-tert-butyl-4,6-dimethylphenol, styrenated phenol,-   2,2′-methylene-bis(4-ethyl-6-tert-butylphenol),    2,2′-thiobis-(6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol),-   2,2′-thiodiethylene-bis[3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate],-   2-methyl-4,6-bis(octylsulfanylmethyl)phenol,    2,2′-isobutylidene-bis(4,6-dimethylphenol),-   isooctyl-3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate,-   N,N′-hexane-1,6-diylbis[3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionamide],-   2,2′-oxamide-bis[ethyl-3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate],-   2-ethylhexyl-3-(3′,5′-di-tert-butyl-4′-hydroxyphenyl)propionate,-   2,2′-ethylene-bis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenol), esters of-   3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-benzenepropanoic acid and a C13-15    alkyl,-   2,5-di-tert-amylhydroquinone, hindered phenol polymers (e.g., trade    name “AO.OH.98” manufactured by ADEKA Polymer Additives Europe SAS),-   2,2′-methylene-bis[6-(1-methylcyclohexyl)-p-cresol],-   2-tert-butyl-6-(3-tert-butyl-2-hydroxy-5-methylbenzyl)-4-methylphenyl    acrylate,-   2-[1-(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-pentylphenyl)ethyl]-4,6-di-tert-pentylphenyl    acrylate,-   6-[3-(3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-5-methyl)propoxy]-2,4,8,10-tetra-tert-butylbenzo[d,f][1,3,2]-dio    xaphosphepin,    hexamethylene-bis[3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate,    calcium    bis[monoethyl(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)phosphonate], a    reaction product between    5,7-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-hydroxy-2(3H)-benzofuranone and    o-xylene,-   2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-(4,6-bis(octylthio)-1,3,5-triazine-2-ylamino)phenol,    DL-α-tocophenol (vitamin E), 2,6-bis(α-methylbenzyl)-4-methylphenol,-   bis[3,3-bis-(4′-hydroxy-3′-tert-butyl-phenyl)butyric acid]glycol    ester,-   2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-cresol, 2,6-diphenyl-4-octadecyloxyphenol,-   stearyl(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate,-   distearyl(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)phosphonate,-   tridecyl-3,5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylthioacetate,-   thiodiethylene-bis[(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate],-   4,4′-thiobis(6-tert-butyl-m-cresol),-   2-octylthio-4,6-di(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenoxy)-s-triazine,-   2,2′-methylene-bis(4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol),-   bis[3,3-bis(4-hydroxy-3-tert-butylphenyl)butyric acid]glycol ester,-   4,4′-butylidene-bis(2,6-di-tert-butylphenol),    4,4′-butylidene-bis(6-tert-butyl-3-methylphenol),-   2,2′-ethylidene-bis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenol),-   1,1,3-tris(2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-tert-butylphenyl)butane,-   bis[2-tert-butyl-4-methyl-6-(2-hydroxy-3-tert-butyl-5-methylbenzyl)phenyl]terephthalate,-   1,3,5-tris(2,6-dimethyl-3-hydroxy-4-tert-butylbenzyl)isocyanurate,-   1,3,5-tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)isocyanurate,-   1,3,5-tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene,-   1,3,5-tris[(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionyloxyethyl]isocyanurate,-   tetrakis[methylene-3-(3′,5′-tert-butyl-4′-hydroxyphenyl)propionate]methane,-   2-tert-butyl-4-methyl-6-(2-acryloyloxy-3-tert-butyl-5-methylbenzyl)phenol,-   3,9-bis[2-(3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-5-methylhydrocinnamoyloxy)-1,1-dimethylethyl]-2,4,8,10-t    etraoxaspiro[5.5]undecane, triethylene-   glycol-bis[β-(3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)propionate], and-   3-(3,5-dialkyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid derivatives, such as-   stearyl-3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid amide,-   palmityl-3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid amide,-   myristyl-3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid amide    and lauryl-3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid    amide. When a phenolic antioxidant is incorporated, the amount    thereof is preferably 0.001 to 5 parts by mass, more preferably 0.03    to 3 parts by mass, with respect to 100 parts by mass of the    thermoplastic resin.

Examples of the phosphorus-based antioxidant include triphenylphosphite, diisooctyl phosphite, heptakis(dipropyleneglycol)triphosphite, triisodecyl phosphite, diphenylisooctyl phosphite,diisooctylphenyl phosphite, diphenyltridecyl phosphite, triisooctylphosphite, trilauryl phosphite, diphenyl phosphite, tris(dipropyleneglycol)phosphite, dioleyl hydrogen phosphite, trilauryltrithiophosphite, bis(tridecyl)phosphite, tris(isodecyl)phosphite,tris(tridecyl)phosphite, diphenyldecyl phosphite,dinonylphenyl-bis(nonylphenyl)phosphite, poly(dipropylene glycol)phenylphosphite, tetraphenyldipropyl glycol diphosphite, trisnonylphenylphosphite, tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphite,tris(2,4-di-tert-butyl-5-methylphenyl)phosphite,tris[2-tert-butyl-4-(3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-5-methylphenylthio)-5-methylphenyl]phosphite,tri(decyl) phosphite, octyldiphenyl phosphite, di(decyl)monophenylphosphite, mixtures of distearyl pentaerythritol and calcium stearate,alkyl(C10) bisphenol-A phosphite,tetraphenyl-tetra(tridecyl)pentaerythritol tetraphosphite,bis(2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-methylphenyl)ethyl phosphite,tetra(tridecyl)isopropylidene diphenol diphosphite,tetra(tridecyl)-4,4′-n-butylidene-bis(2-tert-butyl-5-methylphenoyl)diphosphite,hexa(tridecyl)-1,1,3-tris(2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-tert-butylphenyObutanetriphosphite, tetrakis(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl)biphenylenediphosphonite, 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide,(1-methyl-1-propanyl-3-ylidene)tris(1,1-dimethylethyl)-5-methyl-4,1-phenylene)hexatridecylphosphite, 2,2′-methylene-bis(4,6-tert-butylphenyl)-2-ethylhexylphosphite, 2,2′-methylene-bis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl)-octadecylphosphite, 2,2′-ethylidene-bis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl)fluorophosphite,4,4′-butylidene-bis(3-methyl-6-tert-butylphenylditridecyl)phosphite,tris(2-[(2,4,8,10-tetrakis-tert-butyldibenzo[d,f][1,3,2]dioxaphosphepin-6-yl)oxy]ethyl)amine,3,9-bis(4-nonylphenoxy)-2,4,8,10-tetraoxa-3,9-diphosphaspiro[5,5]undecane,2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl-2-butyl-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol phosphite,poly-4,4′-isopropylidene diphenol C12-15 alcohol phosphite,bis(diisodecyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite, bis(tridecyl)pentaerythritoldiphosphite, bis(octadecyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite,bis(nonylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite,bis(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite,bis(2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite,bis(2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite, andbis(2,4-dicumylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite. When aphosphorus-based antioxidant is incorporated, the amount thereof ispreferably 0.001 to 10 parts by mass, more preferably 0.01 to 0.5 partsby mass, with respect to 100 parts by mass of the thermoplastic resin.

Examples of the thioether-based antioxidant includetetrakis[methylene-3-(laurylthio)propionate]methane,bis(methyl-4-[3-n-alkyl(C12/C14)thiopropionyloxy]-5-tert-butylphenyl)sulfide,ditridecyl-3,3′-thiodipropionate, dilauryl-3,3′-thiodipropionate,dimyristyl-3,3′-thiodipropionate, distearyl-3,3′-thiodipropionate,lauryl/stearyl thiodipropionate, 4,4′-thiobis(6-tert-butyl-m-cresol),2,2′-thiobis(6-tert-butyl-p-cresol), and distearyl disulfide. When athioether-based antioxidant is incorporated, the amount thereof ispreferably 0.001 to 10 parts by mass, more preferably 0.01 to 0.5 partsby mass, with respect to 100 parts by mass of the thermoplastic resin.

Examples of the ultraviolet absorber include 2-hydroxybenzophenones,such as

-   2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone and    5,5′-methylene-bis(2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone);-   2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazoles, such as    2-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)benzotriazole,-   2-(2-hydroxy-5-tert-octylphenyl)benzotriazole,-   2-(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)-5-chlorobenzotriazole,-   2-(2-hydroxy-3-tert-butyl-5-methylphenyl)-5-chlorobenzotriazole,-   2-(2-hydroxy-3,5-dicumylphenyl)benzotriazole,-   2,2′-methylene-bis(4-tert-octyl-6-benzotriazolylphenol),    polyethylene glycol esters of-   2-(2-hydroxy-3-tert-butyl-5-carboxyphenyl)benzotriazole,-   2-[2-hydroxy-3-(2-acryloyloxyethyl)-5-methylphenyl]benzotriazole,-   2-[2-hydroxy-3-(2-methacryloyloxyethyl)-5-tert-butylphenyl]benzotriazole,-   2-[2-hydroxy-3-(2-methacryloyloxyethyl)-5-tert-octylphenyl]benzotriazole,-   2-[2-hydroxy-3-(2-methacryloyloxyethyl)-5-tert-butylphenyl]-5-chenlorobenztriazeole,-   2-[2-hydroxy-5-(2-methacryloyloxyethyl)phenyl]benzotriazole,-   2-[2-hydroxy-3-tert-butyl-5-(2-methacryloyloxyethyl)phenyl]benzotriazole,-   2-[2-hydroxy-3-tert-amyl-5-(2-methacryloyloxyethyl)phenyl]benzotriazole,-   2-[2-hydroxy-3-tert-butyl-5-(3-methacryloyloxypropyl)phenyl]-5-chlorobenzotriazole,-   2-[2-hydroxy-4-(2-methacryloyloxymethyl)phenyl]benzotriazole,-   2-[2-hydroxy-4-(3-methacryloyloxy-2-hydroxypropyl)phenyl]benzotriazole,    and-   2-[2-hydroxy-4-(3-methacryloyloxypropyl)phenyl]benzotriazole;    benzoates, such as phenyl salicylate, resorcinol monobenzoate,-   2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl-3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoate,-   octyl(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy)benzoate,    dodecyl(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy)benzoate,-   tetradecyl(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy)benzoate,-   hexadecyl(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy)benzoate,-   octadecyl(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy)benzoate, and-   behenyl(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy)benzoate; substituted    oxanilides, such as-   2-ethyl-2′-ethoxyoxanilide and 2-ethoxy-4′-dodecyloxanilide;    cyanoacrylates, such as ethyl-α-cyano-β,β-diphenylacrylate and-   methyl-2-cyano-3-methyl-3-(p-methoxyphenyl)acrylate; triaryl    triazines, such as-   2-(2-hydroxy-4-octoxyphenyl)-4,6-bis(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl)-s-triazine,-   2-(2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-4,6-diphenyl-s-triazine, and-   2-(2-hydroxy-4-propoxy-5-methylphenyl)-4,6-bis(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl)-s-triazine;    and a variety of metal salts and metal chelates, particularly salts    and chelates of nickel and chromium. When an ultraviolet absorber is    incorporated, the amount thereof is preferably 0.001 to 10 parts by    mass, more preferably 0.01 to 0.5 parts by mass, with respect to 100    parts by mass of the thermoplastic resin.

Examples of the hindered amine compound include2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl stearate,1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl stearate,2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl benzoate,

-   bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)sebacate,-   tetrakis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)-1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylate,-   tetrakis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl)-1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylate,-   bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl).di(tridecyl)-1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylate,-   bis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl).di(tridecyl)-1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylate,-   bis(1,2,2,4,4-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl)-2-butyl-2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)malonate,-   1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinol/diethyl    succinate polycondensate,-   1,6-bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidylamino)hexane/2,4-dichloro-6-morpholino-s-triazine    polycondensate,-   1,6-bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidylamino)hexane/2,4-dichloro-6-tert-octylamino-s-triazin    e polycondensate,-   1,5,8,12-tetrakis[2,4-bis(N-butyl-N-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)amino)-s-triazine-6-yl]-1,5,8,12-tetraazadodecane,-   1,5,8,12-tetrakis[2,4-bis(N-butyl-N-(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl)amino)-s-triazine-6-yl]-1,5,8,12-tetraazadodecane,-   1,6,11-tris[2,4-bis(N-butyl-N-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)amino)-s-triazine-6-yl]aminoun    decane,-   1,6,11-tris[2,4-bis(N-butyl-N-(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl)amino)-s-triazine-6-yl]amino    undecane,    bis{4-(1-octyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl)piperidyl}decanedionate, and-   bis{4-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-undecyloxy)piperidyl)carbonate. When a    hindered amine compound is incorporated, the amount thereof is    preferably 0.001 to 10 parts by mass, more preferably 0.01 to 0.5    parts by mass, with respect to 100 parts by mass of the    thermoplastic resin.

Examples of other nucleating agent different from the component (A)include metal carboxylates, such assodium-2,2′-methylene-bis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphate,lithium-2,2′-methylene-bis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphate,4-tert-butylbenzoate aluminum salt, and 2-sodiumbicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2,3-dicarboxylate; polyol derivatives, such asdibenzylidene sorbitol, bis(methylbenzylidene)sorbitol,bis(3,4-dimethylbenzylidene)sorbitol, bis(p-ethylbenzylidene)sorbitol,and bis(dimethylbenzylidene)sorbitol; and amide compounds, such asN,N′,N″-tris[2-methylcyclohexyl]-1,2,3-propane tricarboxamide,N,N′,N″-tricyclohexyl-1,3,5-benzene tricarboxamide,N,N-dicyclohexylnaphthalene dicarboxamide, and1,3,5-tri(dimethylisopropoylamino)benzene. When other nucleating agentis incorporated, a total amount of the component (A) and the othernucleating agent is preferably 0.001 to 10 parts by mass, morepreferably 0.01 to 0.5 parts by mass, with respect to 100 parts by massof the thermoplastic resin. The composition of the present inventionpreferably contains neither a polyol derivative nor an amide compound,more preferably contains no other nucleating agent.

Examples of the flame retardant include aromatic phosphates, such astriphenyl phosphate, tricresyl phosphate, trixylenyl phosphate,cresyldiphenyl phosphate, cresyl-2,6-dixylenyl phosphate,resorcinol-bis(diphenylphosphate), (1-methylethylidene)-4,1-phenylenetetraphenyldiphosphate, and1,3-phenylene-tetrakis(2,6-dimethylphenyl)phosphate, as well as “ADKSTAB FP-500”, “ADK STAB FP-600” and “ADK STAB FP-800” (trade names,manufactured by ADEKA Corporation); phosphonates, such as divinylphenylphosphonate, diallyl phenylphosphonate, and (1-butenyl)phenylphosphonate; phosphinates, such as phenyl diphenylphosphinate,methyl diphenylphosphinate, and9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthlene-10-oxide derivatives;phosphazene compounds, such as bis(2-allylphenoxy)phosphazene anddicresylphosphazene; phosphorus-based flame retardants, such as melaminephosphate, melamine pyrophosphate, melamine polyphosphate, melampolyphosphate, ammonium polyphosphate, piperazine phosphate, piperazinepyrophosphate, piperazine polyphosphate, phosphorus-containingvinylbenzyl compounds, and red phosphorus; metal hydroxides, such asmagnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide; and bromine-based flameretardants, such as brominated bisphenol A-type epoxy resins, brominatedphenol novolac-type epoxy resins, hexabromobenzene, pentabromotoluene,ethylene-bis(pentabromophenyl), ethylene-bis-tetrabromophthalimide,1,2-dibromo-4-(1,2-dibromoethyl)cyclohexane, tetrabromocyclooctane,hexabromocyclododecane, bis(tribromophenoxy)ethane, brominatedpolyphenylene ether, brominated polystyrene,2,4,6-tris(tribromophenoxy)-1,3,5-triazine, tribromophenyl maleimide,tribromophenyl acrylate, tribromophenyl methacrylate,tetrabromobisphenol A-type dimethacrylate, pentabromobenzyl acrylate,and brominated styrene. These flame retardants are preferably used incombination with a drip inhibitor such as a fluorocarbon resin, and/or aflame retardant aid such as a polyhydric alcohol or hydrotalcite. When aflame retardant is incorporated, the amount thereof is preferably 1 to100 parts by mass, more preferably 10 to 70 parts by mass, with respectto 100 parts by mass of the thermoplastic resin.

The above-described hydrotalcite is a complex salt compound which isknown as a natural or synthetic product and composed of magnesium,aluminum, hydroxy groups, a carbonate group and arbitrary crystal water,and examples thereof include hydrotalcites in which some of themagnesium or aluminum atoms are substituted with other metal such as analkali metal or zinc; and hydrotalcites in which the hydroxy group(s)and/or carbonate group is/are substituted with other anionic group(s),specifically hydrotalcites represented by Formula (2) below in which ametal is substituted with an alkali metal. In addition, as an Al—Lihydrotalcite, a compound represented by Formula (3) below can be used aswell.

Mg_(x1)Zn_(x2)Al₂(OH)_(2(x1+x2)+4)(CO₃)pH₂O  (2)

wherein x1 and x2 each represent a number that satisfies the conditionsrepresented by the following equations; and p represents 0 or a positivenumber: 0≤x2/x1<10, 2≤(x1+x2)≤20.

[Li_(1/3)Al_(2/3)(OH)₂]·[A^(q−) _(1/3q).pH₂O]  (3)

wherein A^(q−) represents an anion having a valence of q; and prepresents 0 or a positive number.

Further, the carbonate anions in these hydrotalcites may be partiallysubstituted with other anions.

In these hydrotalcites, the crystal water may be dehydrated, and thehydrotalcites may be coated with, for example, a higher fatty acid suchas stearic acid, a higher fatty acid metal salt such as alkali metaloleate, a metal organic sulfonate such as alkali metaldodecylbenzenesulfonate, a higher fatty acid amide, a higher fatty acidester, or a wax.

The hydrotalcite may be a naturally-occurring or synthetic hydrotalcite.Examples of a synthesis method thereof include known methods that aredescribed in JPS46-2280B, JPS50-30039B1, JPS51-29129B1, JPH03-36839B2,JPS61-174270A, JPHO5-179052A and the like. Further, theabove-exemplified hydrotalcites can be used without any restriction interms of crystal structure, crystal particles and the like. When ahydrotalcite is incorporated, the amount thereof is preferably 0.001 to5 parts by mass, more preferably 0.01 to 3 parts by mass, with respectto 100 parts by mass of the thermoplastic resin.

The lubricant is added for the purposes of imparting the surface of theresulting molded article with lubricity and improving thedamage-preventing effect. Examples of the lubricant include unsaturatedfatty acid amides, such as oleic acid amide and erucic acid amide;saturated fatty acid amides, such as behenic acid amide and stearic acidamide; butyl stearate; stearyl alcohols; stearic acid monoglyceride;sorbitan monopalmitate; sorbitan monostearate; mannitol; stearic acid;hardened castor oil; stearic acid amide; oleic acid amide; andethylene-bis stearic acid amide. These lubricants may be usedindividually, or two or more thereof may be used in combination. When alubricant is incorporated, the amount thereof is preferably 0.01 to 2parts by mass, more preferably 0.03 to 0.5 parts by mass, with respectto 100 parts by mass of the thermoplastic resin.

Examples of the antistatic agent include cationic antistatic agents,such as fatty acid quaternary ammonium ion salts and polyaminequaternary salts; anionic antistatic agents, such as higher alcoholphosphates, higher alcohol EO adducts, polyethylene glycol fatty acidesters, anionic alkyl sulfonates, higher alcohol sulfates, higheralcohol ethylene oxide adduct sulfates, and higher alcohol ethyleneoxide adduct phosphates; nonionic antistatic agents, such as polyhydricalcohol fatty acid esters, polyglycol phosphates, and polyoxyethylenealkyl allyl ethers; amphoteric antistatic agents, such as amphotericalkyl betaines (e.g., alkyldimethylamino acetic acid betaines) andimidazoline-type amphoteric activators; and polymer-type antistaticagents, such as polyether ester amides. These antistatic agents may beused individually, or two or more thereof may be used in combination.When an antistatic agent is incorporated, the amount thereof ispreferably 0.03 to 2 parts by mass, more preferably 0.1 to 0.8 parts bymass, with respect to 100 parts by mass of the thermoplastic resin.

The fluorescent brightener is a compound which enhances the whiteness orblueness of a molded article by a fluorescent action of absorbingultraviolet rays of solar light and artificial light, converting theabsorbed ultraviolet rays into visible light of purple to blue andradiating the visible light. Examples of the fluorescent brightenerinclude C.I. Fluorescent Brightener 184, which is a benzoxazole-basedcompound; C.I. Fluorescent Brightener 52, which is a coumarin-basedcompound; and C.I. Fluorescent Brighteners 24, 85 and 71, which arediaminostyrylbenzyl sulfone-based compounds. When a fluorescentbrightener is used, the amount thereof is preferably 0.00001 to 0.1parts by mass, more preferably 0.00005 to 0.05 parts by mass, withrespect to 100 parts by mass of the thermoplastic resin.

As the above-described pigment, a commercially available pigment can beused as well, and examples thereof include PIGMENT RED 1, 2, 3, 9, 10,17, 22, 23, 31, 38, 41, 48, 49, 88, 90, 97, 112, 119, 122, 123, 144,149, 166, 168, 169, 170, 171, 177, 179, 180, 184, 185, 192, 200, 202,209, 215, 216, 217, 220, 223, 224, 226, 227, 228, 240, and 254; PIGMENTORANGE 13, 31, 34, 36, 38, 43, 46, 48, 49, 51, 52, 55, 59, 60, 61, 62,64, 65, and 71; PIGMENT YELLOW 1, 3, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 20, 24, 55, 60,73, 81, 83, 86, 93, 95, 97, 98, 100, 109, 110, 113, 114, 117, 120, 125,126, 127, 129, 137, 138, 139, 147, 148, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 166,168, 175, 180, and 185; PIGMENT GREEN 7, 10, and 36; PIGMENT BLUE 15,15:1, 15:2, 15:3, 15:4, 15:5, 15:6, 22, 24, 29, 56, 60, 61, 62, and 64;and PIGMENT VIOLET 1, 15, 19, 23, 27, 29, 30, 32, 37, 40, and 50.

Examples of the dye include azo dyes, anthraquinone dyes, indigoid dyes,triarylmethane dyes, xanthene dyes, alizarin dyes, acridine dyes,stilbene dyes, thiazole dyes, naphthol dyes, quinoline dyes, nitro dyes,indamine dyes, oxazine dyes, phthalocyanine dyes and cyanine dyes, and aplurality of these dyes may be mixed and used in combination.

The molded article of the present invention is obtained by molding thethermoplastic resin composition of the present invention. Thethermoplastic resin composition of the present invention can be moldedby any known molding method. The molded article can be obtained by, forexample, injection molding, extrusion molding, blow molding, vacuummolding, inflation molding, calender molding, slush molding, dipmolding, or foam molding.

Examples of the use of the thermoplastic resin composition of thepresent invention include molded articles, for example, automobilematerials, such as bumpers, dash boards, and instrument panels; housingapplications, such as refrigerators, laundry machines, and vacuumcleaners; electrical and mechanical components; household articles, suchas tableware, buckets, and bath goods; miscellaneous goods, such as toysand stationaries; medical tools, such as disposable syringes that aresterilized with heat, radiation or the like, infusion/blood transfusionsets, and blood collection equipment; various cases, such as clothingcases and containers for clothing storage; cups for hot filling withfood items; packaging containers and caps, such as bottles and packagesfor retort-packed food items, microwaves, beverages, seasonings,cosmetics, medical supplies and shampoos; cases for food items, such asrice, bread and pickles; tanks; bottles; films; sheets; and fibers.

EXAMPLES

The present invention will now be described more concretely by way ofExamples thereof; however, the present invention is not restricted tothe Examples below and the like by any means.

Examples 1-1 to 1-6 and Comparative Examples 1-1 to 1-9

To a homopolypropylene as a thermoplastic resin (melt flow rate: 8 g/10min; 2.16 kg×230° C. according to ISO Standard 1133) in an amount of 100parts by mass, 0.05 parts by mass of a phenolic antioxidant(tetrakis[methylene-3-(3′,5′-di-tert-butyl-4′-hydroxyphenyl)propionate]methane),0.1 parts by mass of a phosphorus-based antioxidant(tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphite), 0.05 parts by mass of ahydrotalcite (trade name “DHT-4A”, manufactured by Kyowa ChemicalIndustry Co., Ltd.), and each composition shown in Tables 1 to 3 wereadded, and these materials were mixed at 1,000 rpm for 1 minute using aHenschel mixer and subsequently granulated at an extrusion temperatureof 230° C. using a biaxial extruder. The thus granulated pellets wereeach dried at 60° C. for 8 hours, after which the bending elasticmodulus and the heat deflection temperature under load (HDT) weremeasured under the below-described conditions. The results thereof areshown in Tables 1 to 3. It is noted here that, in Tables 1 to 3, theunit of the amount of each component is parts by mass.

Examples 2-1 and 2-2 and Comparative Examples 2-1 to 2-8

To a homopolypropylene as a thermoplastic resin (melt flow rate: 8 g/10min; 2.16 kg×230° C. according to ISO Standard 1133) in an amount of 100parts by mass, 0.05 parts by mass of a phenolic antioxidant(tetrakis[methylene-3-(3′,5′-di-tert-butyl-4′-hydroxyphenyl)propionate]methane),0.1 parts by mass of a phosphorus-based antioxidant(tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphite), 0.05 parts by mass of ahydrotalcite (trade name “DHT-4A”, manufactured by Kyowa ChemicalIndustry Co., Ltd.), and each composition shown in Tables 4 and 5 wereadded, and these materials were mixed at 1,000 rpm for 1 minute using aHenschel mixer and subsequently granulated at an extrusion temperatureof 230° C. using a biaxial extruder. The thus granulated pellets wereeach dried at 60° C. for 8 hours, after which the haze was measuredunder the below-described conditions. The results thereof are shown inTables 4 and 5. It is noted here that, in Tables 4 and 5, the unit ofthe amount of each component is parts by mass.

Examples 3-1 to 3-7 and Comparative Examples 3-1 to 3-7

To a block copolymer as a thermoplastic resin (melt flow rate: 11.5 g/10min; 2.16 kg×230° C. according to ISO Standard 1133) in an amount of 100parts by mass, 0.05 parts by mass of a phenolic antioxidant(tetrakis[methylene-3-(3′,5′-di-tert-butyl-4′-hydroxyphenyl)propionate]methane),0.1 parts by mass of a phosphorus-based antioxidant(tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphite), 0.05 parts by mass of calciumstearate, 0.023 parts by mass of a crosslinking agent or a peroxide{2,5-dimethyl-2,5-bis(tert-butylperoxy)hexane}, and each compositionshown in Tables 6 and 7 were added, and these materials were mixed at1,000 rpm for 1 minute using a Henschel mixer and subsequentlygranulated at an extrusion temperature of 230° C. using a biaxialextruder. The thus granulated pellets were each dried at 60° C. for 8hours, after which the bending elastic modulus and the heat deflectiontemperature under load (HDT) were measured under the below-describedconditions. The granulated pellets had a melt flow rate of 40 g/10 min.The results thereof are shown in Tables 6 and 7. It is noted here that,in Tables 6 and 7, the unit of the amount of each component is parts bymass.

Examples 4-1 to 4-4 and Comparative Examples 4-1 and 4-2

To a homopolypropylene as a thermoplastic resin (melt flow rate: 8 g/10min; 2.16 kg×230° C. according to ISO Standard 1133) in an amount of 100parts by mass, 0.05 parts by mass of a phenolic antioxidant(tetrakis[methylene-3-(3′,5′-di-tert-butyl-4′-hydroxyphenyl)propionate]methane),0.1 parts by mass of a phosphorus-based antioxidant(tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphite), 0.05 parts by mass of ahydrotalcite (trade name “DHT-4A”, manufactured by Kyowa ChemicalIndustry Co., Ltd.), and each composition shown in Table 8 were added,and these materials were mixed at 1,000 rpm for 1 minute using aHenschel mixer and subsequently granulated at an extrusion temperatureof 230° C. using a biaxial extruder. The thus granulated pellets wereeach dried at 60° C. for 8 hours, after which the thermal stability wasevaluated. The results thereof are shown in Table 8. It is noted herethat, in Table 8, the unit of the amount of each component is parts bymass.

Examples 5-1 to 5-3 and Comparative Examples 5-1 to 5-4

To a homopolypropylene as a thermoplastic resin (melt flow rate: 8 g/10min; 2.16 kg×230° C. according to ISO Standard 1133) in an amount of 100parts by mass, 0.05 parts by mass of a phenolic antioxidant(tetrakis[methylene-3-(3′,5′-di-tert-butyl-4′-hydroxyphenyl)propionate]methane),0.1 parts by mass of a phosphorus-based antioxidant(tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphite), 0.05 parts by mass of calciumstearate, and each composition shown in Table 9 were added, and thesematerials were mixed at 1,000 rpm for 1 minute using a Henschel mixerand subsequently granulated at an extrusion temperature of 230° C. usinga biaxial extruder. The thus granulated pellets were each dried at 60°C. for 8 hours, after which the haze, the bending elastic modulus, theheat deflection temperature under load (HDT), the crystallizationtemperature, and the half crystallization time were measured under thebelow-described conditions. The results thereof are shown in Table 9. Itis noted here that, in Table 9, the unit of the amount of each componentis parts by mass.

<Bending Elastic Modulus>

Using an injection molding machine (EC100-2A, manufactured by ToshibaMachine Co., Ltd.), the above-obtained pellets were eachinjection-molded at a mold temperature of 50° C. and a resin temperatureof 200° C. to prepare test pieces having dimensions of 80 mm×10 mm×4 mmand, after leaving the thus obtained test pieces to stand for at least48 hours in a 23° C. incubator, the bending elastic modulus (MPa) wasmeasured in accordance with ISO178 using a bending tester “AG-IS”manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation.

<HDT (Deflection Temperature under Load)>

Using an injection molding machine (EC 100-2A, manufactured by ToshibaMachine Co., Ltd.), the above-obtained pellets were eachinjection-molded at a mold temperature of 50° C. and a resin temperatureof 200° C. to prepare test pieces having dimensions of 80 mm×10 mm×4 mmand, after leaving the thus obtained test pieces to stand for at least48 hours in a 23° C. incubator, the HDT (° C.) of each test piece wasmeasured in accordance with IS075 (load: 0.45 MPa).

<Haze>

Using an injection molding machine (EC 100-2A, manufactured by ToshibaMachine Co., Ltd.), the above-obtained pellets were eachinjection-molded at a mold temperature of 50° C. and a resin temperatureof 200° C. to prepare test pieces having dimensions of 60 mm×60 mm×2 mm,and the thus obtained test pieces were left to stand in a 23° C.incubator for at least 48 hours, after which the haze (%) was measuredusing Haze Guard II (manufactured by BYK Additives & Instruments, Ltd.)in accordance with ISO14782.

<Thermal Stability>

Using an injection molding machine (EC 100-2A, manufactured by ToshibaMachine Co., Ltd.), the above-obtained pellets were eachinjection-molded at a mold temperature of 50° C. and a resin temperatureof 200° C. to prepare test pieces having dimensions of 60 mm×30 mm×2 mm.The test pieces were molded and, immediately thereafter, the test pieceswere left to stand in a 23° C. incubator for 48 hours and then placed ina 150° C. oven, and the Y.I. of each test piece was measured with timeusing an integrating sphere spectrophotometer (COLOR-EYE 7000A,manufactured by X-Rite Inc.). The difference between the thus measuredY.I. and the initial Y.I. measured before each test piece was placed inthe oven was defined as ΔY.I. to evaluate the thermal stability of eachtest piece.

<Crystallization Temperature>

A small piece was cut out from each of the above-obtained pellets, andthe crystallization temperature thereof was measured using adifferential scanning calorimeter (DIAMOND, manufactured by PerkinElmerCo., Ltd.). For the measurement, in a chart obtained by heating thepiece from room temperature to 230° C. at a rate of 50° C./min,maintaining the piece for 10 minutes and then cooling the piece to 50°C. at a rate of −10° C./min, the temperature at which an endothermicreaction formed a peak top was defined as the crystallizationtemperature.

<Half Crystallization Time>

A small piece was cut out from each of the above-obtained pellets and,using a differential scanning calorimeter (DIAMOND, manufactured byPerkinElmer Co., Ltd.), the thus obtained piece was heated to 230° C. ata rate of 50° C./min, maintained for 10 minutes, and then cooled to 135°C. at a rate of −200° C./min. After the temperature was decreased to135° C., this temperature was maintained for 15 minutes, and the timerequired for the amount of endothermic enthalpy necessary forcrystallization to be reduced to half was determined, and defined as thehalf crystallization time.

TABLE 1 Example Example Example Example Example Example 1-1 1-2 1-3 1-41-5 1-6 (A)-1 0.040 0.050 0.055 0.060 0.0625 0.065 (B)-1 0.060 0.0500.045 0.040 0.0375 0.035 (b)-l — — — — — — (A)/(B) (molar ratio) 0.200.30 0.37 0.45 0.50 0.56 Bending elastic 1,920 1,930 1,930 1,930 1,9101,910 modulus [MPa] HDT [° C.] 115.9 116.2 115.9 115.3 113.8 113.9(A)-1: aluminum hydroxybis[2,2′-methylene-bis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphate] (molecularweight: 1,015.23) (B)-1: sodium stearate (molecular weight: 306.46)(b)-1: lithium myristate (molecular weight: 234.304)

TABLE 2 Comparative Comparative Comparative Comparative ComparativeComparative Example 1-1 Example 1-2 Example 1-3 Example 1-4 Example 1-5Example 1-6 (A)-1 — 0.067 0.070 0.030 — — (B)-1 — 0.033 0.030 0.070 — —(b)-1 — — — — — (A)/(B) — 0.61 0.70 0.13 — — (molar ratio) Comparative —— — — 0.10 — nucleating agent 1 Comparative — — — — — 0.10 nucleatingagent 2 Bending elastic 1,480 1,900 1,900 1,870 1,700 1,880 modulus[MPa] HDT [° C.] 93.4 113.5 113.3 113.0 105.7 112.8 Comparativenucleating agent 1: manufactured by ADEKA Corporation, trade name “ADKSTAB NA-21” Comparative nucleating agent 2: manufactured by ADEKACorporation, trade name “ADK STAB NA-11”

TABLE 3 Comparative Comparative Comparative Example 1-7 Example 1-8Example 1-9 (A)-1 0.070 0.063 0.050 (B)-1 — — — (b)-1 0.030 0.037 0.050(A)/(B) 0.54* 0.39* 0.23* (molar ratio) Comparative — — — nucleatingagent 1 Comparative — — — nucleating agent 2 Bending elastic 1,690 1,7301,800 modulus [MPa] HDT [° C.] 103.0 105.7 107.8 *(A)/(b)-1 (molarratio)

TABLE 4 Example Example Comparative Comparative Comparative 2-1 2-2Example 2-1 Example 2-2 Example 2-3 (A)-1 0.0625 0.065 — 0.067 0.030(B)-1 0.0375 0.035 — 0.033 0.070 (b)-1 — — — — — (A)/(B) 0.50  0.56  —0.61  0.13  (molar ratio) Comparative — — — — — nucleating agent 1Comparative — — — — — nucleating agent 2 Haze [%] 44.3   43.8   84.245.6   64.8  

TABLE 5 Comparative Comparative Comparative Comparative ComparativeExample 2-4 Example 2-5 Example 2-6 Example 2-7 Example 2-8 (A)-1 — —0.070 0.063 0.050 (B)-1 — — — — — (b)-1 — — 0.030 0.037 0.050 (A)/(B) —— 0.54* 0.39* 0.23* (molar ratio) Comparative 0.10 — — — — nucleatingagent 1 Comparative — 0.10 — — — nucleating agent 2 Haze [%] 54.5  49.1 57.7   52.5   48.0   *(A)/(b)-1 (molar ratio)

TABLE 6 Example Example Example Example Example Example Example 3-1 3-23-3 3-4 3-5 3-6 3-7 (A)-1 0.040 0.050 0.055 0.060 0.0625 0.065 0.60(B)-1 0.060 0.050 0.045 0.040 0.0375 0.035 0.40 (A)/(B) 0.20 0.30 0.370.45 0.50 0.56 0.45 (molar ratio) Bending elastic 1,450 1,460 1,4501,450 1,440 1,430 1,490 modulus [MPa] HDT [° C.] 104.4 104.4 104.3 104.2104.1 104.0 104.4

TABLE 7 Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Example ExampleExample Example Example Example Example 3-1 3-2 3-3 3-4 3-5 3-6 3-7(A)-1 — 0.067 0.070 0.030 — — — (B)-1 — 0.033 0.030 0.070 — — — (A)/(B)— 0.61 0.70 0.13 — — — (molar ratio) Comparative — — — — 0.10 — —nucleating agent 1 Comparative — — — — — 0.10 1.00 nucleating agent 2Bending elastic 1,080 1,410 1,410 1,400 1,340 1,380 1,420 modulus [MPa]HDT [° C.] 75.2 103.8 103.8 103.7 96.0 99.1 102.2

TABLE 8 Example Example Example Example Comparative Comparative 4-1 4-24-3 4-4 Example 4-1 Example 4-2 (A)-1 0.500 0.055 0.06 0.0625 0.067 0.07(B)-1 0.500 0.045 0.04 0.0375 0.033 0.03 (A)/(B) (molar ratio) 0.30 0.370.45 0.50 0.61 0.70 ΔYI 189 hours 3.5 3.1 2.7 1.9 0.7 0.8 430 hours 9.48.8 10.3 10.7 75 105 460 hours 9.8 9.4 12.0 29.0 122 146

TABLE 9 Example Example Example Comparative Comparative ComparativeComparative 5-1 5-2 5-3 Example 5-1 Example 5-2 Example 5-3 Example 5-4(A)-1 0.062 0.078 0.045 — 0.048 — — (B)-2 0.038 0.022 0.028 — 0.0520.100 — Lithium — — 0.015 — — — — myristate Stearic acid — — 0.012 — — —— (A)/(B) 0.23 0.50 0.49 — 0.13 — — (molar ratio) Comparative — — — — —— 0.100 nucleating agent 1 Haze [%] 58.1 57.4 61.6 85.1 64.3 65.3 50.3Bending elastic 1,980 1,970 2,020 1,380   1,950 1,860 1,820 modulus[MPa] HDT [° C.] 115.5 115.5 116.2 82.0 114.8 109.7 107.1Crystallization 131.1 130.5 130.7 113.4  130.7 130.8 128.1 temperature[° C.] Half 53 55 59 900<   58 58 89 crystallization time [sec]

In those cases where the molar ratio (A)/(B) of the components (A) and(B) was outside the range of 0.20 to 0.56, it was confirmed fromComparative Examples 1-2 to 1-4, 3-2 to 3-4 and 5-2 that the test pieceshad a low rigidity and poor heat resistance, and it was confirmed fromComparative Examples 2-2, 2-3 and 5-2 that the test pieces exhibited apoor transparency-improving effect. In addition, from ComparativeExamples 4-1 and 4-2, it was confirmed that, when the molar ratio(A)/(B) of the components (A) and (B) was higher than 0.56, the increasein ΔY.I was prominent and the test pieces were fragile after 430 hoursand had poor thermal stability. Moreover, according to ComparativeExamples 1-7 to 1-9 and 2-6 to 2-8, the use of a metal carboxylatedifferent from the component (B) resulted in insufficient transparencyand physical properties even when the condition of (A)/(B)=0.20 to 0.56was satisfied.

In contrast, those test pieces of the thermoplastic resin composition ofthe present invention, in which the ratio (A)/(B) was in a range of 0.20to 0.56, were confirmed to have excellent transparency and physicalproperties as well as good thermal stability.

1.-7. (canceled)
 8. A composition comprising: (A) a cyclicorganophosphate aluminum salt represented by the following Formula (1):

wherein R¹ to R⁴ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or alinear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 9 carbon atoms, and R⁵represents an alkylidene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and (B) asodium carboxylate, wherein the (A) cyclic organophosphate aluminum saltrepresented by Formula (1) is aluminumhydroxybis[2,2′-methylene-bis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphate],wherein the (B) sodium carboxylate is at least one selected from thegroup consisting of a sodium aromatic carboxylate and a sodium-fattyacid having 10 to 21 carbon atoms, and wherein a molar ratio of the (A)cyclic organophosphate aluminum salt represented by Formula (1) and the(B) sodium carboxylate, (A)/(B), is in a range of 0.20 to 0.56.
 9. Thecomposition according to claim 8, wherein the (B) sodium carboxylate isat least one selected from the group consisting of a sodium aromaticcarboxylate, a sodium laurate, a sodium myristate, a sodium palmitate, asodium stearate, a sodium 12-hydroxystearate, a sodium oleate and asodium linoleate.
 10. A thermoplastic resin composition, comprising thecomposition according to claim 8 such that the (A) cyclicorganophosphate aluminum salt represented by Formula (1) is contained inan amount of 0.001 to 10 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by massof a thermoplastic resin.
 11. The thermoplastic resin compositionaccording to claim 10, wherein the thermoplastic resin is apolyolefin-based resin.
 12. A molded article, comprising thethermoplastic resin composition according to claim
 10. 13. Athermoplastic resin composition, comprising a thermoplastic resin and acomposition, wherein the thermoplastic resin is a polyolefin resin andthe composition comprising: (A) a cyclic organophosphate aluminum saltrepresented by the following Formula (1):

wherein R¹ to R⁴ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or alinear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 9 carbon atoms, and R⁵represents an alkylidene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and (B) asodium carboxylate, wherein the (A) cyclic organophosphate aluminum saltrepresented by Formula (1) is aluminumhydroxybis[2,2′-methylene-bis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphate],wherein a molar ratio of the (A) cyclic organophosphate aluminum saltrepresented by Formula (1) and the (B) sodium carboxylate, (A)/(B), isin a range of 0.20 to 0.56, and wherein the thermoplastic resincomposition comprises the composition such that the (A) cyclic organicphosphate aluminum salt represented by Formula (1) is contained in anamount of 0.001 to 10 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass ofthe thermoplastic resin.
 14. A molded article, comprising thethermoplastic resin composition according to claim
 13. 15. Athermoplastic resin composition, comprising the composition according toclaim 9 such that the (A) cyclic organophosphate aluminum saltrepresented by Formula (1) is contained in an amount of 0.001 to 10parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of a thermoplasticresin.
 16. A molded article, comprising the thermoplastic resincomposition according to claim 11.